Thompson Okanagan

Hiking

Two hikers admiring the views (Picture BC photo)

Hiking trips in the Thompson Okanagan are particularly rewarding. It's common to traverse several geoclimatic zones on even short hiking trails.

Two of BC's biggest and most celebrated wilderness parks are found in the Thompson Okanagan: Wells Gray Provincial Park and Mount Robson Provincial Park (home to the popular Berg Lake Trail). Many other parks, such as Cathedral Provincial Park and Monahsee Provincial Park, also have outstanding hiking trails to explore.

Sun Peaks and Silver Star resorts offer chairlift access to alpine trails. There are also opportunities for heli-hiking in the Cariboo Mountains near Valemount.

The variety of plants and landscapes here supports a corresponding variety of wildlife. Moose, deer, bears, mountain goats, caribou and more call the region home, and wildflower-filled meadows blanket the slopes of many alpine areas in summer.

Heli-Hiking and Resort trails

Sun Peaks and Silver Star offer kilometres of lift-accessed hiking in alpine wilderness from the base of both resorts. Opt for easy strolls through wildflower meadows or challenging summits returning stunning views. At night, reward yourself with a fantastic meal in the village.

Heli-hiking in the Cariboo Mountains near Valemount combines high alpine adventure with luxury mountain lodge accommodation. Guests are flown by helicopter to spectacular, otherwise inaccessible mountain settings, and provided guided hikes. Packages include transport to the lodge, accommodation, guided heli-hiking, meals and equipment.

Mount Robson Provincial Park

Hike through any portion of Mount Robson Park and you'll soon understand why UNESCO has designated it a World Heritage Site. Located a 20-minute drive northeast from Valemount via Highways 5 and 16, the park's namesake and central feature, Mount Robson, rises a dramatic 3,954m/12,972ft over the western entrance to the park.

The well-marked Mount Fitzwilliam Trail offers wonderful mountain views for day and overnight hikers. Experienced backcountry hikers will enjoy the Moose River wilderness route, a demanding, multi-day journey along creeks and rivers and across the Continental Divide. The park's most famous route, Berg Lake Trail, traverses three geoclimatic zones and features Berg Glacier, one of only a handful of advancing glaciers in the Canadian Rockies.

Wells Gray Provincial Park

Wells Gray Provincial Park is one of the most exhilarating hiking destinations in BC. It contains many lakes, rivers and streams as well as a number of waterfalls, including the spectacular Helmcken Falls, which is more than twice the height of Niagara Falls.

Hiking opportunities in the park run the gamut, from ambling, level walks to challenging, sub-alpine treks. Breathtaking views of river valleys, highland plateaus and mountain ranges can be had from a number of elevated viewpoints on the Corridor Trails, which also feature a volcanic cave, a natural swimming hole, abandoned pioneer homesteads, a lake, and excellent vantage points for viewing moose and mule deer.

Wells Gray is a one-hour drive north from Clearwater via Clearwater Valley Road.

Cathedral Provincial Park

Cathedral, a 30-minute drive southwest from Keremeos off Highway 3, is a mountainous wilderness park between the dense, wet forests of the Cascade Mountains and the desert-like landscapes of the Okanagan Valley. Lakes, rock formations and a stunning variety of vegetation are some of its defining features.

There are three well-marked hiking routes into the park's main area. Or take a shuttle from the park entrance to Cathedral Lakes Lodge, from where there are a great many trails to choose from. Experienced hikers can opt for one of several challenging cross-country routes. Although most of the park's trails are quite strenuous, there is one leisurely, 30-minute amble around Lake Quiniscoe that is within easy walking distance of the lodge.

Monashee Provincial Park

Monashee Provincial Park offers endless opportunities for experienced hikers and a few options for beginners, too. It is a one-hour drive northeast from Lumby, off Highway 6. Hike through old-growth forest, alpine meadows and some of the oldest rock formations in western Canada.There's a detour for Rainbow Falls shortly before you reach the parking lot. An easy, five-minute walk leads to a viewing platform at the base of the falls.

Beginners will enjoy the forested trail that runs from the parking lot to the Spectrum Lake area. Little Peters Trail (advanced) is narrow and gains elevation rapidly over steep switchbacks and rocky terrain. It offers nice views of Spectrum Lake. Big Peters Trail (advanced) passes through a sub-alpine evergreen forest on its way to Big Peters Lake. From the lake, extend your hike further by taking one of the Alpine Routes (advanced; maps recommended): Margie Lake, Fawn Lake, South Caribou Pass or Mount Fosthall, a 1,000m/3,000ft climb that sometimes requires additional equipment.